Photo by Krisof Borkowski
Supercharge your day with a power breakfast!
So, what is a power breakfast? It is a meal that has a good balance of lean protein and complex carbohydrates. Together this combination will keep you full longer and provide long-lasting energy needed to help you stay focused and curb any snack cravings that you may have between meals.
When I say choose complex carbohydrates, what I really mean is just stay away from the refined carbs, the white stuff: white flour, white bread, write rice. Instead, try to stick to whole grain options. They provide a lot more nutrients (namely the B vitamins and fiber) than refined carbohydrates and offer much more flavour as well. Some of my favourite whole grain choices include oatmeal, brown rice, barley, whole grain whole wheat bread and whole wheat pasta…and the list can go on and on!
Any protein consumed with carbs will slow down the digestion process and help keep you fuller. But personally, I prefer lean protein over fatty ones because I don’t like the weighed-down feeling that I get after consuming fatty meat. However, that doesn’t mean my only choices are chicken breast and fish! In fact, I actually enjoy a wide variety of lean protein options at breakfast, which of many are plant-based, such as nuts, beans and tofu. I especially enjoy noshing on nuts since they will provide a good dose of healthy fats.
A few of my personal favourite power breakfast combinations are:
- Sweet oatmeal with dried fruits, nut butter or chopped nuts
- Savory oatmeal with egg and salsa
- Bean salad with chewy barley or quinoa or wheatberry
- Toast with egg, or canned sardines and avocado
- Warm milk with a handful of nuts (perfect for when I’m in a hurry or when I’m just feeling lazy)
Making a power breakfast is really quick, simple and tasty. Plus, it can keep you full and focused until the next meal comes around. So, try some of these options today and nourish your body with a power breakfast!
Do you have a favourite breakfast option that fits the power breakfast definition? Let me know!
One Comment
I actually really struggle to get in a decent amount of protein at breakfast because all I ever want are carbs, carbs, and more carbs! I’m getting better, though, by having Greek yogurt, egg white sandwiches, or adding nuts/nut butters to my oats.